Support for a North-east Regional Assembly will be heard tonight when Stockton South MP, Dari Taylor, hosts a Big Conversation Event on the issue.

More than 130 representatives from business, the arts, community and voluntary groups, and politicians will discuss their reasons why a "Yes" vote would be good for the Tees Valley.

The discussion at the Swallow Hotel in Stockton will focus on the advantages to Teesside of a North-east Assembly prior to the referendum on November 4.

Speakers will include Sir John Hall and Middlesbrough international soprano Suzannah Clarke alongside Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians. "I am of the belief that a North-east Assembly will give the region a body that is powerful enough to attract investment and to construct a future skills-based economy," said Dari Taylor.

The Big Conversation begins at 6pm. For more information contact the MP's constituency office on 01642 604546.

* All sides of the debate will be aired at the Evening Gazette's "Guinea Pigs or Real Devolution" public meeting in the University of Teesside's Innovation Centre lecture theatre on Friday, September 10.

Representatives from the "Yes" and "No" campaigns will join Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and top Tory minister Bernard Jenkin in answering questions from the public.